Series co-creator Carter Bays told TV Guide that an old character would return to the show this season and would have a "big influence on [Ted's] search for the mother", adding: "[It's] someone you wouldn't expect to see."

Make-up artist Jennifer Turchi later appeared to confirm Bilson's return on Twitter, writing: "We have the best guesties... Ray Wise back as Robin Scherbasky Sr & Rachel Bilson too!"